Safety lock for chain type coal cutting machines



mm. K 193. 0. K. SIFERS ET AL 2.179.433

SAFETY LOCK FOR CHAIN TYPE COAL CUTTING MACHINES Original Filed April 16, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet l In veniors ZEVAEB min W39. 0. K.$HFERS ET AL SAFETY LOCK FOR CHAIN TYPE COAL CUTTING MACHINES Original Filed April 16,1938 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 A ttorne us Patented Nov. 7, 1939 PATENT OFFICE SAFETY LOOK FOR CHAIN TYPE COAL CUTTING MACHINES Otey K. Sifers and Jacob G. Starr, Beckley, W. Va.

Application April 16, 1938, Serial No. 202,517 Renewed July 5, 1939 4 Claims.

This invention relates generally to coal mining machines of the endless chain type, and more particularly to a device for application to the machine for securing the same against untoward movement.

Briefly the invention resides in the provision of a device that may be readily applied transversely of the guide frame and is equipped for engaging the endless bit chain for securing the latter against untoward movement.

The invention together with its objects and advantages will be best understood from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a top plan view illustrating the application of the invention.

Figure 2 is a side elevational view of the safety lock.

Figure 3 is a side elevational view of the safety lock showing the same applied and also illustrating the manner in which a jack may be used in connection with the lock and Figures 4 and 5 are detailed sectional views taken substantially on the lines 44 and 5-5 respectively of Fig. 3.

Referring to the drawings by reference numerals it will be seen that we have shown merely a portion of a coal mining machine, which latter embodies the usual elongated guide frame 5 that provides a track for an endless chain 6 the links of which are provided for the detachable securing thereto of the curved cutting bits 1.

Our improved safety lock is indicated generally by the reference numeral 8.

In accordance with the preferred embodiment thereof the safety lock 8 comprises a pair of plates or bars 9, H) which at one end are arranged in overlapping relation. At the lapped end thereof the bar I!) is provided at its opposite edges with integral guide channels II which receive the edges of the lapping end of the bar 9.

The bar 9 at its free end is formed to provide a hook-like terminal l2 adapted to engage a link It of the chain 6 in a manner clearly shown in Fig, 3 while intermediate its ends the bar In is provided with a hook like projection l4 that is adapted to engage an oppositely disposed link lid of the endless chain as also shown in Fig. 3 when the bars 9 and H) are drawn inwardly relative to one another and across the frame 5.

For drawing the bars 9 and I0 inwardly relative to one another for engaging the hooks l2 and i l with the chain links there is provided a handle member l5 that at one end is equipped with an integral fork It the legs of which are pivoted as at I! to lugs 18 rising from the bar 9. Also pivoted to the legs l6 as at H! is one end of a link 2|]. 'Link 20 at its free end is provided with a yoke 2i pivoted as at 22 to 2. lug 23 provided on the bar l0.

With the lever A 5 in the position shown in Fig. 2 bars 9 and H] are in an outward position relative to one another so as to space the hooks I l and I2 apart a distance sufficient to permit the device to be properly placed transversely of the frame 5 with the hooks I2 and M in alinement with the links I3, l3a at any suitable point in the length of the cutter bar of the mining machine.

With the lock in this position on the machine lever i5 is swung from the position shown in Fig." 2 to the position shown in Fig. 3 thus causing the bars 9 and ill to move inwardly towards one another and the hooks l2 and Hi to move into engagement with the links l3 and l3a as shown in Fig. 3. Obviously with the hooks l2 and I4 engaging links I3 and HM, the chain portion 6 of the mining machine is held against movement in either direction.

Also if desired, and as shown, there is suitably mounted on the bar ID a pulley 24 over which may be trained a cable 25 that is used for moving the machine from one point of location to another.

Also the plate I I) has the free end extended beyond the hook [4 to provide an abutment 26 against the outer side of which may be brought into engagement the foot of a lifting jack 2'l for the purpose of raising one end of the machine when desired. Sometimes it is desired to so lift the free end of the cutter-bar of the mining machine prior to shifting the cutter-bar of the machine from one point on face of the coal to another.

Also, as shown, and if desired, the bar ID at the channel guide equipped end thereof has depending from the under side thereof an integral lug 28 which extends downwardly between the sides of the frame 5 and which may be used in an obvious manner so as to properly position the device on the machine. Obviously where the frame 5 is a solid piece instead of being of loopshaped form lug 28 will be dispensed with.

It is thought that a clear understanding of the construction, utility, advantages and operation of a device of this character will be had without a more detail description thereof.

What is claimed is:

1. A safety lock for mining machines of the character embodying a track member having an endless chain movable thereon and equipped with kerf forming bits, said look member comprising a pair of bars connected together for longitudinal sliding movement relative to one another in opposite directions, said bars being provided with hooks for engaging opposed links on the endless chain when said bars are removed longitudinally inwardly relative to one another, a handle pivotally connected with one of said bars, and link means pivotally connecting the handle to the other of said bars for transmitting movement of the handle to the bars for sliding the same relative to one another in the desired direction.

2. A safety lock for cutter-chain of mining machines of the character embodying a track member having an endless chain movable thereon and equipped with kerf forming bits, said lock member comprising a pair of bars connected together for longitudinal sliding movement relative to one another in opposite directions, said bars being provided with hooks for engaging opposed links on the endless chain when said bars are moved longitudinally inwardly relative to one another, a handle pivotally connected with one of said bars, and link means connecting the handle to the other of said bars for transmitting movement of the handle to the bars for sliding the same relative to one another in the desired direction, one of said bars being provided adjacent one end thereof and on opposite edges with channel guides, and the other of said barshaving the side edges thereof at one end engaging in said channel guide.

3. A safety lock for mining machines of the character embodying a track member havingan endless chain movable thereon and equipped with kerf forming bits, said stop member comprising a pair of bars connected together for longitudinal sliding movement relative to one another in opposite directions, said bars being'provided with hooks for engaging opposed links on the endless chain when said bars are moved longitudinally inwardly relative to one another, a handle pivotally connected to one of said bars, link means connecting the handle to the other of said bars for transmitting movement of the handle to the bars for sliding the same relative to one another in the desired direction, one of said bars being provided adjacent one end thereof and on its opposite edges with channel guides, and the other of said bars having the side edges thereof at one endkengaging in. said channel guides, and the first named one of 'said bars having an end portion extending beyond the hook thereof to provide an abutment surface for the engagement of a-jack therewith as and for the purpose specified.

4. A safety lock for mining machines of the character embodying a track member having an endless conveyor movable thereon and equipped 1 with kerf forming bits, said lock member comprising a pair of bars connected together for longitudinal sliding movement relative to one another in opposite directions, said bars being provided with hooks for engaging opposed links on the endless chain when said bars are moved longitudinally inwardly relative to one another, a handle pivotally connected to one of said bars, link means connecting the handle to the other of said bars for transmitting movement of the handle to the bars for sliding the same relative to one another in the desired direction, one of said bars being provided adjacent one end thereof at its opposite edges with channel guides, and the other of said bars having the side edges thereof at one end engaging in said channel guide, and the first named one of said bars having an end portion extending beyond the hook thereof to provide abutment surface for the engagement of a jack therewith, and said one bar also having a pulley mounted thereon whereby a cable may be engaged therewith for changing the position of the machine with the safety guide associated therewith. v

- OTEY K. SIFERS.

JACOB G. STARR. 

